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2012 Kia Rio 5-Door, an Autoweek Flash Drive Car Review

August 17, 2011

The redesigned Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 138 hp.

What is it?

With the subcompact market growing more crowded with the arrival of the Ford Fiesta, the Chevrolet Sonic, the Mazda 2 and the new Hyundai Accent, the timing couldn't be better for Kia to roll out a revamped Rio. For 2012, the Rio lineup--which includes a sedan and a five-door--is all new with a more distinctive design inside and out, a new direct-injection engine, an impressive list of available features and optional stop-start technology. The five-door will hit dealerships first in September, with the sedan following in December or January.

Riding on a new platform which is longer, wider and lower-riding than that of the previous Rio, the 2012 model has a more hunkered-down stance with shorter overhangs front and back. The body is now made from 63 percent high-tensile-strength steel, and torsional rigidity is improved by 31 percent. Styling falls in line with what we've seen on the latest Optima and Sportage, with a slimmed-down version of the company's tiger grille, sloping shoulder lines and a wedge-shaped appearance.

Power comes from a new 1.6-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder producing 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque connected to either a six-speed manual transmission (available only on LX models) or a six-speed automatic (standard on EX and SX trims). According to Kia, it estimates fuel economy for the sedan with either the manual or automatic are 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The hatchback is slightly lower, at 29 mpg for the city and 39 mpg on the highway. However, for an addition fuel-economy bump, the Rio will be the first in the segment to offer start-stop technology. Kia says the system is good for an additional 1 mpg in the city.

Like most vehicles in the class, the Rio's suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam out back. Fifteen-inch wheels are standard on LX and EX while SX models get 17-inch alloy wheels.

What is it like to drive?

We spent an afternoon hustling a 2012 Rio 5-door EX through the crowded streets of Seoul and on expressways through the Korean countryside, and the experience wasn't anything like that with its predecessor. The ride inside the cabin was fairly quiet with only a bit of wind noise seeping into the cabin. At expressway speeds, we were able to have conversations with our driving partner at a normal tone, and it didn't feel as if we were piloting a tin can--in fact, it was far from that.

The new four-cylinder is powerful for the class, and the six-speed automatic gearbox was quick to downshift when we needed some extra kick for merging and passing. It's not fast by any means, but what car in this category can you call fast? The electric power steering is light and responsive enough with some play on center but it's perfect for targeted customers. Ride quality is good--even larger bumps weren't really able to upset the car. Body control is solid, and the Rio hatchback felt well planted rounding corners and turns, even with our EX's 15-inch tires. It would be safe to assume that the SX's wider 17s would help the car feel even more sure-footed.

Our test car was also equipped with the stop-start system, which would kill the engine when we came to stops, only to fire up again once you remove your foot from the brake pedal. Operation seemed a bit crude, with a noticeable, audible tone of the starter turning over to get the car running again, unlike systems on much more expensive vehicles that are nearly seamless. Kia hasn't decided how much the system is going to cost just yet, either. According to executives, it was going to be grouped in with a few other features in a package that might cost about $300 to $400. For an extra 1 mpg in the city, that would take a bit of time to recoup.

Do I want it?

If you're shopping the class, we suggest you take a serious look at it. The styling is truly standout and the interior is smartly laid out with large controls, a nice leather-wrapped steering wheel and smartly placed soft-touch surfaces to give the cabin a upscale feel. With the available navigation with a seven-inch screen or the UVO hands-free system developed by Microsoft, it offers some nice premium touches. There's also standard stability control with brake assist and hill start assist. Without question, there's a level of refinement in the new Rio that you wouldn't have expected.